Today The Miss Utah Scholarship Organization is pleased to announce the impressive individuals who will select Miss Utah 2024. The new Miss Utah will represent the Miss Utah Scholarship Organization throughout the state, receive over $10,000 in scholarships to the school of her choice, and sponsorships from a variety of local businesses including a vehicle to drive for the year from Murdock Hyundai. She will also represent Utah at the Miss America Competition.
Each judge comes with a specific background that will help select the woman who will best represent the Miss Utah Organization. Meet the Miss Utah 2024 Judges below:
DaNae Couch Lowe
- Attorney for Canterbury Law, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, focusing in the areas of complex civil and commercial litigation, civil appeals, contract representation, negotiation, premises liability, and debt collection.
- Graduated with distinction from Baylor University’s Honors College, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and earned a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Public Relations.
- Served as Miss Texas 2012, and addressed “Hope for Family Recovery: Life Beyond Addiction” targeting drug education and addiction recovery in schools.
- Named a Top 10 finalist at the 2013 Miss America Competition, where she wowed the audience and judges alike with her impressive twirling routine to, “You Can’t Stop the Beat”.
Joel Gonzalez
- Attended the University of San Diego and he majored in Speech Communication and Leadership Studies.
- Obtained graduate degrees at the University of San Francisco, studying Organization Leadership in Higher Education.
- Director of Admissions for UC San Fransisco since 2001, managing a highly competitive selection process.
- Experienced pageant consultant, specializing in interview preparation, and in the development of a strong and commanding stage presence in the Miss America system. Has guided several women to Top Ten placements at state and national competitions.
Fernanda Bohme
- Co-founded Böhme, a major women’s clothing brand in 2007. Her brand has multiple locations in seven states and employs over 300 women.
- Böhme named one of the Top Women-Run Businesses on the Inc. 500 Fastest-Growing Companies list, featured on Forbes.com as an outstanding national business.
- Featured keynote speaker at multiple major events across the country, including representing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce women’s private sector in support of growth and establishment for women-owned businesses in the Middle East.
- Fundraises for various charity fundraisers, as well as extensive involvement with diverse donations around the globe for disadvantaged women.
- Resides in Park City, Utah.
Joe Flowers
- Graduate of The Citadel Military College of South Carolina with degrees in Business and Marketing.
- Recently retired banker and finance executive in Virginia, now employed in the South Carolina school system as a part-time teacher.
- Volunteer in the Miss America Organization for over 40 years, serving as a local director and state board member in both South Carolina and Virginia. Specializes in interview coaching, and has conducted numerous pageant training sessions for judges in the Miss America system.
- Has traveled the country judging Miss America competitions including: Miss Texas, Miss Virginia, Miss New York, and Miss Maryland.
- Experienced stage performer with acting, singing, and dancing credits in several well-known musicals. Served as VP of the Virginia Theater Guild, and as Chairman of the Board for The Dance Theater of Norfolk.
Ginger Chinn
- Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs for the Salt Lake City Chamber. Coordinates with key stakeholders on emerging policy matters and collaborates with local and federal lawmakers to navigate bills through the legislative process.
- Served as the Managing Director for Urban and Rural Business Services at the Governor’ Office of Economic Development (GOED) where she directed a strategic growth plan for Utah’s industry cluster program and managed rural economic development initiatives.
- Holds a degree in Social Science from Boise State University and earned a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Colorado
State University.
Derek Esplin
- Award-winning Film Producer, has dedicated many years to Sundance Film Institute’s Catalyst Program — developing independent film projects, enhancing growth, and providing mentorship for young filmmakers as they produce their own unique projects.
- Served on the Sundance Advisory Board, with Executive Producer credits on a wide range of dramatic, comedy, and documentary works.
- Real Estate Developer currently part of a design and construction team developing unique, modern, high-end homes, with a current project being built in Park City, Utah.
- Passionate about animal rescue, and dedicates both time and resources to a wide variety of philanthropic efforts.
Mary Killebrew
- Served as Miss Utah 1997 and graduated from the University of Utah with dual bachelor degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and performed with the Ballroom Dance Team.
- K-8 Arts Educator in Anthem, Arizona, and an active member of the National Art and the National Dance Education Associations.
- Over the past years, has served on the Anthem Parks Committee; been an archery instructor; organized several youth camps; worked as a seamstress for a local Musical Theater; coached a Lego League team; was a K-12 substitute teacher; and spent three years as the Artist in Residence for the Renaissance Gifted and Music Academy at Highland Lakes.